Album Review

Much like the early Orb-related project recorded as Space, Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld simulates a journey through the outer realms — progressing from the soaring ambient-pop of "Little Fluffy Clouds" and the stoned "Back Side of the Moon" (a veiled Pink Floyd reference) to "Into the Fourth Dimension" and ending (after more than two hours) with the glorious live mix of "A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain." A varied cast of samples (Flash Gordon, space broadcasts, foreign-language whispers) and warm synthesizer tones provide a convincing bed for the midtempo house beats and occasionally dub-inflected ambience. With a clever balance of BBC Radiophonics Workshop soundtracks, '70s ambient meister-works by Eno, Hillage, and Floyd, plus the steady influence of Larry Heard's sublime Chicago house, Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld is the album that defined the ambient house movement.

Customer Reviews

"Classic" Electronica

by
DJ Monet

This album by the Orb is already a classic for electronica fans-- This album blends non-formulaic ambient electronica and dub with a healthy dose of super-fun and original samples. If you're unfamiliar with this album, think of The Orb as the 90's equivilant of Pink Floyd with a splash of Tangerine Dream, Brian Eno, and other ambient electronica. Mix this with beats that helped create the modern techno sound and this is the Orb. This album came out as a single album in the U.S., but the Double Album is where the ideas are fully developed. Definantly worth having the entire disk.

dissapointing

by
bummedbob

0 stars for itunes.....5 for ULTRAWORLD.......i've had this on vinyl since 91 and unfortunately it is A: INCOMPLETE....and B:NOT IN ORDER which is essential for both ULTRAWORLD and u.f.ORB albums....both albums were released sequenced with tracks mixing into each other...Paterson and gang took us on a flowing journey which unfortunately is not here.....go buy it at your local cd shop if you have to cuz this album is brilliant...i couldn't tell you which was better tho cuz u.f.ORB is just as fantastic

A true ambient/techno classic

by
SpykeDaddy

If you want the defining album of the ambient/techno genre - this is it. I first heard this album when it was released in 1994 and it blew me away with its creativity, uniqueness, excellent melodies and tricky beats. The sampling is done in such a superb way that it weaves the entire CD into a complete story. Today, in 2006, I still pull this album out on a regular basis. You will not be dissapointed with this purchase. Be wary - this is The Orb's defining work. All other The Orb albums will not compare to this true masterpiece.

Biography

Formed: 1989 in London, England

Genre: Electronic

Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

The Orb virtually invented the electronic genre known as ambient house, resurrecting slower, more soulful rhythms and providing a soundtrack for early-morning ravers once the clubs closed their doors. The group popularized the genre as well, by appearing on the British chart show Top of the Pops and hitting number one in the U.K. with the 1992 album U.F.Orb. Frontman Dr. Alex Paterson's formula was quite simple: he slowed down the rhythms of classic Chicago house and added synth work and effects...